Springboks vs All Blacks referee changed with immediate effect

Angus Gardner, who took charge of the All Blacks' midweek victory over the Lions, will instead referee the second Test between the Springboks and All Blacks.

South Africa will be hoping to bounce back from their disappointing 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park and level the series, while the All Blacks have the chance to extend their advantage.

A World Rugby statement reads: “Angus Gardner will now referee this weekend’s test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town as Nika Amashukeli has not recovered from illness.

“Brett Cronan (Australia) will act as his Television Match Official with Eric Gauzins (France) becoming Foul Play Review Officer and Sam Grove-White (Scotland) replacing Gardner as an assistant referee.”

The officiating appointments for the third Test in Johannesburg on 5 September have also been adjusted. Amashukeli will now referee that fixture in place of Gardner, with Gauzins serving as TMO and the Australian taking up an assistant referee role.

Gardner is no stranger to high-profile encounters and made headlines last month while officiating the controversial Argentina vs England match.

Tensions boiled over after the final whistle in Santiago del Estero, with several Los Pumas players surrounding the Australian referee following the decision to disallow what would have been a dramatic late equalising try.

Television footage appeared to show players making physical contact with Gardner as they protested the decision, before members of Argentina's coaching staff stepped in to escort the referee away from the confrontation.

World Rugby later confirmed the punishment handed to Tomas Albornoz following the Argentina fly-half's misconduct towards Gardner during Los Pumas' Nations Championship defeat to England.

The 28-year-old received a four-match suspension, ruling him out of Argentina's clash with South Africa and both fixtures against Australia. He will also miss Toulon's Top 14 meeting with Stade Rochelais.

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